DNC File Server For Windows

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

CSS DNC File Server is software used to communicate with printed circuit board drills and routers using Excellon DNC 1.3 or 1.4 protocol.  It is a true 32 bit application written specifically for Microsoft Windows.  One DNC file server computer can drive up to 16 machines. The number of machines per DNC server is limited by the number of hardware COM ports you can install in the computer. Your drill and route programs do not have to be stored on the DNC server. They can be kept on any file server on your network.  This makes it possible to connect two or more DNC servers in parallel (32 machines) and still work from a single data base stored somewhere else.   

One copy of CSS DNC File Server is loaded and run for each COM port.  If you are driving 10 machines you need 10 COM ports and 10 copies of our DNC Server Software running in 10 separate windows.  All machines can be simultaneously downloading files from the DNC Server at maximum speed.  No machine ever has to slowdown or wait while another is receiving a drill or route program.

OPERATOR MESSAGES  (Dialog Mode)

CSS DNC File Server provides a quick way to verify that the machine and the host computer are communicating. This is done by sending short messages back and forth.  Select a COM port on the computer screen by clicking its' image. Type your message and click "Send Message"   If everything is working correctly "Message sent OK" will popup at the top of the window. If not, it will read "Machine not responding". 

You can also send a message from the PCB Drill or Router to the DNC Server computer. However, the method for doing this varies between machine manufacturers. On most Excellon machines you simply type "OM," and then your message.  Sieb & Meyer controllers must first be set to "DNC Dialog Mode"..

SENDING REQUESTED FILES

The machine controller must be setup with hardware and software to download drill/route programs from a DNC Server computer using Excellon DNC 1.3 or 1.4 protocol.  Unfortunately, every manufacturer and every model seems to have a slightly different method for doing this.  Therefore it generally requires a trained service technician to initially configure your machine for DNC communication. You may also need to install additional circuit boards and software in the machine - at additional cost.

Note:  If you have to spend money for parts and software to "upgrade" your machine for DNC communication you probably shouldn't do it.  Instead, install our Graphical Drill/Route System which doesn't require any modification of the machine and provides much more bang for the buck than DNC.

Once the machine is communicating properly with the DNC Server computer thing get much simpler. To download a program you (1.) type the name of the file you want on the keyboard of the machine and (2.) press the "GO" button. Of course the "GO" button can be anything from the "Line Feed" key on a keyboard to poking your finger at some obscure spot on a CRT.  Again, almost every machine is different.

CSS DNC server can automatically download files from either "JOB" files on the Drill Room File Server or individual files stored in separate subdirectories. A CSS "JOB" file is a compressed file containing many individual files including drilling and routing programs, comments, a description of the job, and possibly even net lists and Gerber files.  To download program stored in a "JOB" file the operator simply types the "Job Number" followed by the name of the drill/route program he needs.

Download Drill/Route Program Stored In Compressed JOB File

:                                               File stored in job file SOMEJOB.JOB:                SOMEJOB\DRIL1234.DRL

To download an individual file stored in a different subdirectory on the network (not-compressed) the operator enters the network path followed by the file name.

Download Drilling Program Stored as Individual File On Network File Server

                                               File stored in Default Directory:                          DRIL1234.DRL

                                               File stored in different directory  :                       OTHERDIR\DRIL1234.DRL

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE QUESTIONABLE

The principal advantages of a DNC system are (1) Every machine manufacturer supports DNC downloading - in one way or another and (2) One computer can service many machines.

The principal disadvantage is that it does very, very, little to improve the productivity of the machine and the operator. DNC systems simply deliver drill and route program to machines over wires rather then from floppy disks or paper tapes.

The question is "what makes best sense for your business"?  Do you need the power of a modern network like our Drill Room File Server and Graphical Drill/Route Systems - or is DNC good enough?